Russia extends tit-for-tat sanctions till end of 2017

G7 leaders earlier confirmed prolongation of sanctions imposed on Russia because of its Ukraine aggression

The Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev has ordered the Russian Government to prepare a decree on prolongation of the western food embargo until the end of 2017.

"Our manufacturers have repeatedly spoken out for the extension of the food embargo on the agricultural production from those countries that have imposed sanctions against the Russian Federation or those that have joined afterwards," Medvedev said.

On May 27, the G7 state leaders agreed to extend the sanctions against Russia.

On February 14, Medvedev stated thatthe sanction are coming up dry, and the Western countries should "recollect courage" and name the date of their withdrawal. He mentioned that Russia was not the first one to implement the restrictive measures, which is why it will not be the first one to call them off.